Julian Edelman spent the first five years with the New
England Patriots worrying about the unknown.

He walked into Gillette Stadium thinking each day could be
his last. What if he dropped some passes in practice or had a bad game? Would
that be it? Would someone tell him to grab his playbook and lead him to the
Bill Belichick's office?

Considering his potential and talent, it was always unlikely
that Edelman's fears would be realized, but the possibility weighed on him. And
without the security of a long-term contract or the protection of a lucrative
salary, however small, the possibility did exist.

"It's good to have a little security and knowing that a team
believes in your enough to pay you that kind of stuff," Edelman said. "A little
security on how may years I'll be here. I've never really been in that
situation."

After signing a four-year contract with a maximum value of
$19 million with the New England Patriots last week, Edelman can breathe a
little easier. A bobbled pass will no longer put him on the roster bubble, and
he now knows that he will remain in one area of the country for an extended
period of time.

There's a sense of relief that comes with being settled, but
Edelman wasn't sure that things would work out this way a few weeks ago. His
initial negotiations with the Patriots did not result in a signed contract, and
Edelman was forced to face the reality that he may end up with another team. He
received a degree of interest from the Baltimore Ravens, and then took a trip
to visit his hometown San Francisco 49ers.

Meeting with the team he cheered for was a "surreal"
experience for Edelman, and he considered what it might be like to change
teams, but he ultimately decided that New England was the right place for him. Weighing heavily in that decision was his
relationship with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

"He let it be known that he would love to have me back and
part of the team," Edelman said. "Tom is also a good friend of mine, he's one
of the guys who helped me develop into a professional in this league. He also
told me that I have to take care of myself and my family. He kind of mentored
me."

Edelman later summed up his feelings for Brady as such: "I couldn't leave that guy, he's my dog."

Edelman also made it clear that he isn't going to let his
guard down now that he has a little comfort. He managed to catch 105 passes for
1,056 yards last season, but a good portion of those numbers were posted while
his teammates were either trying to learn the offense or battling injuries.

He'll have no such luck next year, and he knows that means
he will be competing with his teammates for opportunities, including with
fellow slot receiver Danny Amendola.

"I'm going to go out there every day like I do every day, try
to take things from the classroom and bring it to the grass and try to better
myself and ultimately put myself in the best situation succeed," Edelman said. "It's
going to help the unit succeed if I do my job. Football is a competition; it's
always a competition. If you're scared to compete, you're in the wrong
business."

Edelman may no longer have to worry about being cut, but the
fight continues.